[SOLVED] Cooling and fans - define R6 and Aorus Z390 elite

[James Blonde]

I'm in the process of rearranging my case to open layout to get my new graphics card in.

To date, I've not been using the built in PWM fan hub, I've just been plugging fans into the motherboard (though I was giving the hub power)

I've got an Z390 Aorus Elite, and I'm cooling using a Corsair h115i with a front mounted radiator with fans behind (pulling), and plugged into the cpu_opt header (and the 2 radiator fans plugged into the block cable), and a single stock 140mm exhaust at the back (plugged into system fan 1/2/3_pump). And thats it.

Firstly, should I be plugged into cpu_opt or cpu_fan??

Secondly, any point using the PWM fan hub??

And thirdly, if not, does it need to be powered? Suspect not, but....

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

in the process of rearranging my case to open layout

what do you mean "open layout"?
you mean switching to an open air presentation case?

should I be plugged into cpu_opt or cpu_fan?

CPU cooler's fans should be in the CPU_FAN header.
on some boards the system will not post with no reading from this header.
but the CPU_OPT header is designed to just clone the CPU_FAN header's stats so it shouldn't really make much of a difference in any other way.

any point using the PWM fan hub?

only if you want a group of fans to follow an exact curve
or if you want to use the front panel to control speeds.

if not, does it need to be powered?

no. has no other purpose except running fans.

 

[James Blonde]

what do you mean "open layout"?
you mean switching to an open air presentation case?

No, open layout is where you remove the hard drive cage to give more space at the front of the case. Only allows you to have 2 x 3.5" drives and 2 x 2.5" drives, so having to cut down the number of drives I'm running, but have replaced an 500gb SSD by using another 1tb M.2 drive.

Otherwise, cool, thanks! Makes sense! Will move the water cooler to the cpu_fan slot and just not connect the hub.